Fear Not... Then Help Your Community

Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court. (Daniel 2:49 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Help Your Community

When I managed a telephone sales company, I hired my best friend to take the late shift.  Three other employees were friends or spouses of other workers.  It was a profitable place to work, and we took joy in helping our friends and family find the same benefits we had found.

Maybe it does not sound fair.  Maybe it was selfish.  Maybe it was nepotism.  But I would do it again.  I was blessed, and wanted to pass that blessing on to those I loved.

Through God’s providence, Daniel had the opportunity to present God’s truth to King Nebuchadnezzar, and the King saw that Daniel’s God was God.  The King made a strong pronouncement about our God, place Daniel high in his bureaucracy, and Daniel was probably pretty satisfied with how things turned out.

But Daniel did not just bask in his blessings.  He did not simply make it through the insecure, scary time and rest.  He spread the blessings around.

He asked that his three best friends also be given positions of responsibility.

Second only to our aim of giving glory to God, is our good desire to be a blessing to those we love.

When you make it through the fear, look around and be aware of God’s blessings.  And then spread those blessings around to those you love, and who love you.

Financially? Yes.  Emotionally? Yes.  Verbally? Yes.  In prayer?  Yes. 

Fear not… then help your community.

Fear Not... Then Be Different

Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:19-21 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Be Different

We fear losing.  Any battle, really. 

And our culture and civilization tell us to fight fire with fire.  To match force with force.  To respond to hatred with hate.  To never back down, or appear to back down.

But Christ’s followers have a different battle plan, proposed here by Paul.  He says let the victory (or loss) be in God’s hands.  Instead, fight fire with air conditioning.  Match force with conversation.  Respond to hatred with love.  Overcome evil, not using evil’s tools… but using the same weapon that Jesus used to conquer sin.  Overcome evil with good.

We live in an age of escalation.  But it is past time to de-escalate.  We live in an age of revenge.   But it is past time for peace.  We live in an age of separation and division.  But it is past time for gathering around the Christ-center.

We do not have to imagine what a world of escalation, revenge, separation, and division looks like.  We live in that world.  But imagine a world where we desire to love instead of to win.  Imagine a world where we fight for each other, instead of fight each other.  Imagine a world where we yearn to help instead of yearn to win.  Imagine a world where we enjoy giving instead of focus merely on profit.

Sounds like heaven.

But we can have it here.  And while you might expect me to write, “It starts here with YOU,” it really does not.  It starts with Jesus.  Then we follow, copy, emulate, imitate, and be like Him.  He chose mercy instead of getting even with us.  He chose grace instead of wining.  He chose the big de-escalation that fixes everything.

Fear not, then be different.

Fear Not... Then Call

But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? (Romans 10:14 The Message)

Fear Not… Then Call

A friend of mine has become an expert in small engine repair.  If my chainsaw, weed-eater, or limb-chopper starts to run a little rough, I call him.  But this has not always been the case.

I used to spend a lot of time doing the repairs myself.  Fiddling, experimenting, trying out new bad words… Because I did not know that I had a reliable helper.  But when I found out my friend’s skills, it was easy to reach out to him for help.  Because I trust him, I can call on him.

Folk will not call on God for help until we trust Him, either.  In fact, why would we?

In a real sense, the first time we cry out to God, we show that at some level, we trust Him.  Whether we are crying out to Him for help with a relationship, financial troubles, health concerns, or our very souls… our crying out is trusting.

But it starts with knowing Him. 

Fear not, then call.

Fear Not... Then Be Known

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. (Exodus 1:8 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Be Known

What if my father was best friends with actor John Wayne, but never told me?  What if my mother worked as a scheduling consultant for Billy Graham, but never told me?  What if I played basketball with Wilt Chamberlain, but never told my children? What if you gave walking lessons to Neil Armstrong, but never told me?

Those would be sad situations… but hardly world-changing.

Egypt’s new king did not know Joseph, but why?   Perhaps after Joseph’s withdrawal from Egyptian politics, the Israelites huddled in Goshen and didn’t ‘get involved.’  Perhaps the Israelites did not believe that talking about the work of Joseph did not matter anymore.  Perhaps the Israelites were too busy resting on their laurels… and Egypt forgot.

And “Joseph” was not the point.  When Moses wrote this verse, I imagine him smiling at his own subtlety.  Because Joseph being forgotten was not important.

Forgetting Joseph’s God is another matter.

It is fun and easy to blame the Egyptians for their eventual mistreatment of the Israelites.  But part of the blame extends to the descendants of the patriarchs who stopped being noticeable by the Egyptians.   The Egyptians had seen Joseph’s God interpret dreams accurately. The Egyptians had seen Joseph’s God bring rag-Joseph into the position of riches-Joseph. The Egyptians had seen Joseph’s God save the world from famine.

And yes, the Egyptians should have remembered.  But also yes, the Israelites should have talked, spoken, reminded, taught, influenced, sung, shouted, mentioned, hinted, proclaimed, and preached about the One True God, and given the hope of the coming Messiah.

It is easy to blame our society for forgetting God.  But perhaps we have not let ourselves, and Him, be known.

Fear not, then be known.

Fear Not... Then Read the Handwriting on the Wall

Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Daniel 5:7 ESV

Fear Not… Then Read the Handwriting on the Wall

Today, when we think about the ‘handwriting on the wall,’ we think of something obvious, clear, and unavoidable.  But when Belshazzar, King of Babylon saw a disembodied hand writing mysteriously on his palace wall, he was confused, concerned, and afraid.

He did not know what the writing meant.

He had no idea.

Nothing was obvious or clear.  The writing was in Hebrew, not readable by Belshazzar, just three strange words… the writing was enigmatic, even knowing the meaning of the words: number, balance, and divide, did not make the message understandable… the writing was mysterious, and so Belshazzar sought help.

God was warning Belshazzar that his arrogance, his cruelty, and his rejection of the One True God was about to have consequences.  But those consequences were not unavoidable.  

If the King repented and turned to God, Belshazzar’s kingdom could remain, and Belshazzar could live.

But for Daniel, the handwriting on the wall was indeed obvious and clear.

Because Daniel knew God.  Because Daniel knew God’s Word.  Because Daniel knew that God always meant what God says.

Ironically, if Belshazzar had known those things, the handwriting on the wall would have been… well… the handwriting on the wall.

God’s writing is clear.  And its message is clear.  We’re in trouble.  And Jesus is THE answer. 

Fear not, and read the handwriting on the wall.

Fear Not... Then Help Your Community

Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court. (Daniel 2:49 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Help Your Community

When I managed a telephone sales company, I hired my best friend to take the late shift.  Three other employees were friends or spouses of other workers.  It was a profitable place to work, and we took joy in helping our friends and family find the same benefits we had found.

Maybe it does not sound fair.  Maybe it was selfish.  Maybe it was nepotism.  But I would do it again.  I was blessed, and wanted to pass that blessing on to those I loved.

Through God’s providence, Daniel had the opportunity to present God’s truth to King Nebuchadnezzar, and the King saw that Daniel’s God was God.  The King made a strong pronouncement about our God, place Daniel high in his bureaucracy, and Daniel was probably pretty satisfied with how things turned out.

But Daniel did not just bask in his blessings.  He did not simply make it through the insecure, scary time and rest.  He spread the blessings around.

He asked that his three best friends also be given positions of responsibility.

Second only to our aim of giving glory to God, is our good desire to be a blessing to those we love.

When you make it through the fear, look around and be aware of God’s blessings.  And then spread those blessings around to those you love, and who love you.

Financially? Yes.  Emotionally? Yes.  Verbally? Yes.  In prayer?  Yes. 

Fear not… then help your community.

Fear Not... Then Seek the Lord

The land is still ours, because we have sought the Lord our God. (II Chronicles 14:7 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Seek the Lord

The logic of Cause and Effect is pretty clear.  Pay your bills on time, and you will have a good credit score.  Exercise fairly regularly and you’ll sleep better.  De-weed your garden, and your vegetables will grow well.  Check the oil in your pickup truck, and the engine will last longer.

When it comes to our spiritual life, we usually fit God in after our lives are in order.  Our daily lives are filled with so many tasks and activities, that our God-aimed-things are often postponed.  We’ll make time for scripture after our work is finished.  We’ll make time for prayer after our schedule is cleared.  Wil make time for the fellowship of God’s people after our urgent duties are taken care of.

But King Asa of Judah learned a different cause and effect.  He sought the Lord first.  And he, and all of Judah, found that those other things worked out well.  They sought the Lord, and He gave them security as a nation.  They sought the Lord, and He profited their labors.  They sought the Lord, and He gave them a peace that passed understanding.

Jesus said it this way, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

No matter what is ahead of you today, or this week, or this month, or this year… seek Him first.

Fear not, then seek the Lord

Fear Not... Then Be Reasonable

And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. (Daniel 1:20 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Be Reasonable

God’s commandments to His people do not have to make sense for us to obey, but they do.  God’s expectations of His people do not have to lead us to success, but they do.  God’s expressed desires for His people do not have to be reasonable, but they are.

Young Daniel and his friends believed God’s commands concerning their diet.  We do not know exactly what foods the Babylonians were offering to the captured Israelites, but Daniel and company did not believe that they should consume them.  Perhaps they had been offered to idols, and thus were expressly forbidden by God.  Perhaps they were foods prohibited in the Law, and they knew that God forbade them.  Perhaps they were merely unhealthy, and they knew that God wanted them to take care of themselves.

But their choice, made in faith, made trusting in God, made risking reputation, position, and perhaps even made risking their lives, led to physical health.

God’s ways are better for us than ways opposing God.  God’s ways are more sensible than ways opposing God.  God’s ways are more beneficial than ways opposing God.  God’s ways are more reasonable than ways opposing God.

Because God’s ways are truth.  Not just truth for us… but absolute truth.

Fear not, then be reasonable.

Fear Not... Then Ignore Intentions

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, (Genesis 50:20 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Ignore Intentions

I used to say, “I do not believe in conspiracies… I just believe people plan things.”

But lately, I am starting to believe in conspiracies.

Influential, persuasive, and powerful people are apparently becoming more successful in obstructing the preaching of the gospel.  They are apparently becoming more successful in limiting freedoms of God’s people.  They are apparently becoming more successful in changing the narrative of our history.  They are apparently becoming more successful in altering the foundations of Scripture, the Church, and the family.

But we, the people of God, adopted through the work of Christ Jesus, under the protection, providence, and power of the One True Living God, still have nothing to fear.

Joseph’s brothers had bad intentions.  But God was still in charge.

The Jewish leaders in 33 AD had bad intentions.  But God was still in charge.

Those who imprisoned the apostle Paul had bad intentions.  But God was still in charge.

No matter how powerful the intenders, God’s intentions are better.  No matter how twisted and evil the intenders, God’s goodness is better.  No matter how deeply woven the plots of the intenders are, God’s tapestry is better.

He’s already saved you, despite your worst intentions.  He’s already saved me, despite my worst intentions.  He’s already filling heaven and earth with His Kingdom, despite the intentions of His enemies.

Fear not, then ignore intentions.

Fear Not... Then Listen

And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” 3 Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.” (Genesis 46:2-4 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Listen

Jacob should not have been surprised to find Joseph in charge in Egypt.  God came right and told Jacob that he would be seeing his beloved son again.

But I can not shake my head at Jacob’s deafness.  Because I did not hear God’s promise, either.  I have read this passage many, many times.  And I never noticed, until this very moment, that God had made an astonishing and revealing promise to Jacob.

The Old Testament is filled with promises about the Messiah, but hardly anyone really expected the Messiah to be born then, or there, or with whom. 

Jesus told his disciples many times that He would die, and rise again.  But everyone was surprised when it happened.

I wonder what other promises God has been making that I have not noticed.

Perhaps it is time to read through the Bible again… maybe even with a bright highlighter.  Maybe I, like Jacob, need to listen a little more.

Fear not, then listen.

Fear Not... Then Prioritize

When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him. (II Chronicles 12:1 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Prioritize

Rehoboam inherited the amazing Kingdom of Israel at Solomon’s death. After some poor decisions, and some civil war, Israel was divided into two smaller kingdoms, Israel and Judah.  Rehoboam ruled the smaller of the two, Judah.  In the eyes of many, Rehoboam was a successful king.  He endured a civil war, attacks by foreign kings, and an economic struggle or two.  In the end, he reigned seventeen years, and even the Bible acknowledges that he was a strong king.

But really, he was not.  He had his priorities mixed up.

Jesus said it this way, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

The bank sends overdraft notices; utility companies send shutoff alerts; employers send pink slips for absence; schools send warnings for excessive tardiness; stomachs growl and hurt if we miss too many meals; friends desert us if we neglect them… But the things of God have no such obvious warnings, penalties, or immediate effects.

And so we, like Rehoboam find it painless to put God lower and lower on our priority lists.  The world might call us successful economically, socially, or emotionally.

But if God is not first, we ultimately are no different than Rehoboam. 

Fear not, then prioritize

Fear Not... Then Get Along

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord (Philippians 4:1 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Get Along

We do not know what possible conflict existed between Euodia and Syntyche.

  Perhaps the conflict revolved around who had the worst name to rhyme with in poetry, or how to pronounce each other’s name, or even something more trivial.  But Paul takes them to task.  He entreats them to agree in the Lord.

That does not mean Paul wants them to agree about everything.  It means that in their pyramid of ideas, beliefs, and concepts, the Lord is at the top and the bottom.  The things between the foundation of the Lord, and the pinnacle of the Lord are simply not as important.

And the same is true for us.  When Christians are firmly in agreement that Christ is King, other matters are minimized.  Other matters are not erased, or forgotten, or ignored.  But Christ is King!

Perhaps those other matters about which we seem to disagree are not really disagreements at all.  But rather an interesting and enjoyable discussion about fascinating facets of the topic at hand.

Disagreeing can be uncomfortable, particularly when we are disagreeing about important matters.  But the more we realize unity in foundation and pinnacle, the more insignificant those other areas become… and the more peace will result.

Fear not, then get along.

Fear Not... Then Be Loud

The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ’s praise as we do it. (Philippians 3:3 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Be Loud

Explorer Christopher Columbus receives a lot of flack in recent years, perhaps for some good reasons.  He, like us, was sinful.  But Christopher did at least one thing right.  He followed Philippians 3:3.

Every morning, as the sailors realized they had survived another dangerous night at sea, Columbus praised Christ.  Every evening, as the sailors realized they had survived another dangerous day at sea, Columbus praised Christ.  Every land, newly seen by European eyes, was announced to be the result of Christ’s protection, provision, and power.  Every land, while perhaps presumptuously claimed for a European Monarch, was also properly and hopefully claimed as a place for Christ’s Kingdom to expand.  Every treasure, every resource, every thing of beauty was claimed not merely for Spain, but as a part of the glorious work of the Creator God.

Columbus loudly and repeatedly filled the air with Christ’s praise as Columbus did the labor to which he believed Christ called him.

Our tasks, like Columbus’ are often daunting, unsure, and a potential cause of fear.  But loudly praising Christ beforehand, during, and afterwards changes the narrative.  Acknowledging that our work is really His work can remove our insecurity.  Giving Christ credit for the daily small successes we might have enables us to trust Him though the daily small failures we might experience.  Praising Christ loudly for what we’ve had a hand in even enables us to avoid the shoals of pride, self-focus, and self-reliance.

From our birth, to our rebirth, to our working out our salvation, it is Christ who is at work.

Fear not, then be loud.

Fear Not... Then Surrender

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied Himself… (Philippians 2:4-7 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Surrender

When I was a telephone salesman, I spent most of my time afraid.  As the manager, my sales numbers had to be the highest.  When customers chose not to purchase our product, I was expected to concoct answers to their objections.  My knowledge had to be higher than anyone else at the company, regarding product information, shipping times, guarantees, warrantees, or legalese.  I saw myself at the top of Chemron Inc.’s pyramid, and I was usually afraid that something would happen to tip me back towards the bottom.

If only I had remembered Paul’s words.  Paul points out that Jesus was at the top of every possible pyramid.  Yet He chose to lower Himself, to humble Himself, to empty Himself of His authority, His position, and His power.

I am enough of a capitalist to appreciate the value of healthy competition.  I am enough of a college football fan to appreciate the potential joys of competition.  I am enough of a creative perfectionist to appreciate the inspiration often found in competition. 

But I am enough of a Christian to acknowledge that those competitions also are the source of fear.

Jesus, the acknowledged champion of the universe, put aside all the high things He was entitled to and chose to lift His people up, instead of Himself.  We know that about Him, and we attempt to emulate this humility, this compassion, and this love.

But Jesus’ choice also puts an end to fear.

To begin with, Jesus, being at the top, and choosing to relinquish that top-ness, had nothing to fear.  No one could ever take from Him what He voluntarily surrendered out of love.  And then, we get to copy Him.

It starts with our acknowledgement that HE is the source of every position, possession, and power we claim.  After we understand that, we’ll find that we do not need to protect those positions, possessions, and powers. We do not need to cling to those positions, possessions, and powers. We do not need to preserve those positions, possessions, and powers.  We do not need to worry about those positions, possessions, and powers. 

And therefore, we lose a lot of the foundations for our daily fears.

Fear not, then surrender

Fear Not... Then Belong

But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! (Matthew 12:48, 49 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Belong

I have joined a few odd clubs and groups over the years.  I joined the Jane Daane Recess Walking Club, I joined the Grand Rapids Are Rock and Mineral Society.  I joined the Non-Physical Olympic Society.  I joined the Calvin College Psychology Department Club.  I joined the Maryborough and Vicinity Creative Writing Club.  I joined the Friends of the Outcast Australian Christian Bikers Association.   I joined the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

I was not qualified for most of them.

I have tried to connect with famous sports stars, like Deshaun Watson of the Clemson Tigers.  I have tried to meet celebrities like Mr. Kincaid from the Partridge Family and William Shatner of Star Trek. 

I have no reason to form any sort of relationship with any of them.

I have formed dangerous friendships.  I have courted associations with people I share nothing in common with.  I have accepted and sought Facebook friends for all the wrong reasons.

I have known better.  I have understood my poor motivations.  I have done these things anyway.

Why is this such an attractive slippery slope?  Simply, I want to belong.

And when I feel like I do not belong, it is because I have forgotten where I DO belong.

I have a brother, you see, like no other.  Jesus points at me, too, and makes me a part, so that I am never apart.  The One who has bought me ensures that I am never just one.

There is only one filling for the donut hole in my heart.  Jesus says I am with Him.  Jesus says He is my family.  Jesus says He will never leave me, forsake me, abandon me, get bored with me, refuse to forgive me, push me away from Him, or leave me alone.

Fear not, then belong

Fear Not... Then Heaven

Jesus said, “Marriage is a major preoccupation here, but not there. (Luke 20:34 The Message)

Fear Not... Then Heaven

I attended a wedding recently, and later received a text message from a friend, “Did you see me at the wedding?”

I had not noticed that friend.

For one reason:  At the wedding, I was at the wedding.

Of course, I glanced around occasionally.  Of course, I noticed random secondary and tertiary things… but mostly I was at the wedding.

When Jesus answers a question about whether we will have marriage in heaven, He answers in a way that might seem disappointing.  No marriage in heaven?  But I love my wife! But Jesus is not saying that marriage is not important, or that we will not have anything to do with earthly spouses in heaven.

No, Jesus is reminding us how AMAZING heaven will be!

As precious as my deceased loved ones might be, I do not believe I will give much attention to them in heaven.  As wonderful as full knowledge in heaven might be, I do not believe I will desire to be contemplating philosophical questions in heaven.  As joyful as my made-perfect body will be upon my resurrection, I do not believe I will be testing my eyesight or blood sugar levels.

My attention, my heart, my eyes, will be, I expect, on God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

I do not understand or grasp that yet.  But then, joyfully, excitedly, completely, perfectly, I will see Him.

Nothing else will matter.  Because He will be as everything.

Even now, at times, that puts my present focus on troubles, difficulties, worries, and pains in focus.

Fear not, then heaven.

Fear Not... Then Be Patient

A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. (Genesis 41:12 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Be Patient

A few months ago we bought some extendable Marshmello roasting forks.  Gradually, the pile of forks moved from the kitchen counter, to the entrance-way table, to the front porch, to the storage trunk.  And… there… they… stayed.

I will not quite say that we forgot about those forks.  But I also can not say we remembered them.

Then we had some friends over for a S’mores night.  And suddenly those forks were brought out, to much fanfare.  Those forks, long languishing in the trunk, now were useful, necessary, and popular!  Suddenly they were noticed, elevated, and praised.

IF those roasting forks could think, feel, and speak… I think I know what they would have thought, felt, and said.   While waiting, “when will the Pennings remember us? Here we wait, forgotten, disrespected, and useless…”  But when they were brought out and anointed with Marshmellos?  They would have said, “Our patience has born fruit!  We wait no longer! We should have known we were not forgotten!”

Joseph would have understood those forks.  He knew what it was like to be useful but forgotten, important but neglected, valuable but ignored.

God has a use for each of us that is better than merely roasting Marshmellos.  He has a job for each of us in His kingdom.  He has a fantastic purpose for each of us… even when it seems we have been forgotten.

I do not know what God is waiting for.  But His planning is better than mine.  His organization is better than mine.  His understanding of the times is better than mine.

The forks were patient and saved the S’mores.  Joseph was patient and saved his family.  The second Person of the Trinity was patient and saved His people. 

Fear not, then be patient.

Fear Not... Then Be Free

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.  And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (Philippians 1:12-14 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Be Free

Paul wrote the epistle to the Philippians while he was in prison. 

Modern Christians in places like Myanmar, China, North Korea, and Afghanistan are being arrested and imprisoned.  And as some observe trends even in the USA, imprisonment for Christians is becoming more likely.  I do not mention this to make us nervous.  But instead, to keep prison-dwelling in perspective.

Paul was unjustly imprisoned, but we do not hear him complain.

Paul’s rights were infringed upon, but we do not hear him complain.

Paul had lost freedom, but we do not hear him complain.

Instead, while in prison, Paul talked about Jesus.  Paul bragged about Jesus.  Paul sang about Jesus.  Paul pointed even guards towards Jesus.

For Paul, that was the freedom that mattered.  Not freedom politically, not freedom economically, not freedom artistically… but the freedom Paul knew through Jesus’ grace.

Every situation that surrounds us is a chance to talk about Jesus.  Every difficulty we endure is a chance to talk about Jesus.  Every blessing we notice is a chance to talk about Jesus. 

No matter how bad things might get… no matter how good things might get… freedom in Christ bubbles out of our lips freely.  Even if such talk becomes illegal.  Even if such talk has costly consequences.  Even if such talk brings about the loss of every other freedom that we hold dear.

Fear not, then be free.

Fear Not... Then Be Loved

Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. (Ephesians 6:24 ESV)

Fear Not… Then Be Loved

Many years ago, we bought a pop-up camper.  Our intentions were good, but we have not made use of it as we had hoped.  But recently, we decided to clean it up, and do some camping! 

When we popped it up, however, we found that the camper needed more than a cleaning.  The canvas had become frayed, the plastic windows had become holey, and various animal visitors had done various animal damages.

The camper had been corrupted.

Most things in our lives become corrupted.  Money declines in value, old gasoline becomes varnish, clothes become strangely too small, and even friendships and relationships tend to break down, if untended.

But the love connection between Jesus and His people is not only uncorrupted, it is incorruptible!

If we doubt that, if we are surprised by that, if we do not think we see that, it is usually because we forget what love really is, Biblically.  The kind of ‘love’ we are used to is conditional.  Usually more conditional than we like to admit.  Movies and literature constantly hint that love is temporary, unsure, and fades.  We think and act like love must be earned, deserved, or proven.

But that is not Jesus’ love.  That love is unconditional, irrevocable, and incorruptible.  He does not love us because of our thoughts, words, or deeds.  He loves us because He loves us.  And the love that we have for HIM, empowered as it is by HIS love, works the same way.

Campers decay, bank accounts deflate, and we get tired of our favorite television shows.  But every time those things happen, every time those things make us afraid… remember Jesus incorruptible love.

Fear not… then be loved.

Fear Not... Then Sing

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16 ESV)

Fear Not...Then Sing

I do not enjoy drinking water.  I am not sure if it is a personally quirk, a genetic irregularity, an environmental oddity, or just personal choice.  But I do not enjoy drinking water.

But I still drink water.  I drink it in Diet Coke, I drink it in iced tea, I drink it in coffee, I drink it in fruit juice, and I drink a tiny bit of it in alcohol.  I understand that without water, my body would die.  I consume it, even in mixed forms, because it is necessary.

Lately, on days of particular weather, at times when it is convenient, or when for some reason, it simply sounds good, I have chosen to drink water, and I have smiled.  It is not so bad, maybe.

I know some folk who do not enjoy music.  I am not sure if it is a personality quirk, a genetic irregularity, an environmental oddity, or just personal choice.  But they do not enjoy music.

Paul urges them to partake anyway.  Because it is good for us.  Maybe even because it is necessary.  Sometimes we whistle when we are afraid.  Sometimes we hum along with the radio in a moment of crises.  Sometimes we remember songs when we are emotionally struggling.  And all of those are good music options.

But Paul urges us particularly to use music after the struggles, problems, pains, worries, and fears are gone.  He instructs us to use music to give thanks to God.

Music does sooth our passions, righteous and unrighteous.  Music does inspire us to continue the good fight.  Music does help us find strength, and hope, and maybe even faith.

But music is also a great way to express our gratitude.  The disciples sang a hymn when leaving the first Lord’s Supper.  (Matthew 26:30) Miriam led the Israelites in singing after the crossing of the Red Sea. (Exodus 15:21)  And Paul breaks out in song when he is overwhelmed by a fresh understanding of God’s Grace. (Romans 11:33-36)

I do not really understand it.  But God uses music to speak to us, and for us to speak to Him.  Particularly in the calm after the storm.  Stop and sing today!

Fear not, then sing